I am writing today to tell you about the Facilities Operations staff and how they embrace and perpetuate the mission and vision of Notre Dame. Valerie Richard, Phyllis Campbell and Mike Vignati are the epitome of professionalism and compassion. While they strive to ensure that their responsibilities are met, they are also very quick to keep a finger on the pulse of the department and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of their staff. They realize that the people they work with are not only employees, but people with families and duties outside the workplace. They are very accommodating when appointments and family issues arise as well. They accommodate personal appointments without making you feel guilty. While they emphasize professionalism in the workplace, they realize that from time-to-time personal conflict will happen. They are willing to give each individual the benefit of the doubt and always see their best and their prospective talents. When I experienced personal conflict with a former supervisor, they could have just as easily viewed me as a problem employee, but they instead saw my potential and offered me another position with another supervisor. In this new position, I have succeeded and thrived.
I believe that these three individuals are a great asset to the organization. They continually go above and beyond the call of a manager and are willing to be friends to their employees and wonderful human beings. They create an atmosphere of family throughout the organization, even while carrying on day-to-day activities. It is rare to find a leader who is not only respected, but valued and liked as well. I would like to thank them each for the chance they took on me. I would not be where I am today without their influence.
Maem Detaksone
Building Services
Feb. 18
